Convention Center designs released to mixed reviews

The international design firm Populous revealed its concepts for the new Convention Center hall that would tie in to AEG's Farmers Field football stadium beside Staples Center. The building and plazas are designed to connect the existing south hall of the center with the NFL stadium, replace the old west hall, and turn the Convention Center into a single contiguous space. The design carries the mouth-unfriendly label of LACOEX and would span Pico Boulevard.

The renderings were presented Thursday to the City Council's ad-hoc committee that was formed to ask a few questions before approving AEG's stadium. Councilmembers Jan Perry and Bill Rosendahl reacted generally positively to the design, the Times reported, while Councilman Ed Reyes said the proposal should include more benefits for the area's residents and be concerned less with international stature.